India-Argentina discuss drone technology partnership during PM Modi's visit
Addressing a press briefing after the bilateral meeting between the two leaders, Kumaran said that the conversation between PM Modi and Milei "significantly dealt with the use of drones and multiple purposes for which they can be put into."
"There was discussion about using it to tackle IUU fishing- illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, especially encroaching fishermen into exclusive economic zones of Argentina. There was also talk about using drones for cattle management, increasing agricultural productivity for border surveillance and the Argentinian side also talked about how drones could help in the surveillance of high tension power transmission lines using drones instead of the traditional reliance on helicopters which is much more expensive," he said.
In another novel area of cooperation, Kumaran said that PM Modi invited Argentina to join the International Big Cat Alliance.
"The two leaders discussed cooperation under an initiative that India drives called the International Big Cat Alliance, which protects and promotes cooperation between the member states of the IBCA in protecting some six identified big cats- lions, tigers, and jaguars and so on, six of them. The Prime Minister welcomed Argentina to join the International Big Cat Alliance and to work with us on sharing experiences and capacity building in terms of conservation of the big cats."
As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was launched by PM Modi in 2023. It primarily aims for conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma, with objectives like facilitation of collaboration and synergy amongst the concerned stakeholders, consolidation of successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve conservation of big cats around the globe and underscores India's leadership and commitment to global wildlife conservation.
In a recap of the visit of PM Modi, the MEA Secretary said, "The Prime Minister last visited Argentina in 2018 for the G20 Summit. However, this is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years, making it a historical visit."
He noted that PM had begun his engagements by laying a wreath at the bust of General San Martin, the revered Argentinian freedom fighter. "The tribute acknowledged his enduring legacy and pivotal role in Argentina's independence movement. Following the tribute, the Prime Minister was received at Casa Rosada by President Javier Milei, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome. Subsequently, the two leaders had a brief tet-a-tet, followed by delegation-level talks, during which they reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations."
The MEA Secretary said that PM Modi thanked President Milei for extending warm hospitality to him and his delegation, and also appreciated the gracious welcome.
Prime Minister Modi's engagements in Buenos Aires not only reflected India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Argentina but also showcased the enduring spirit of the Indian diaspora. Their heartfelt reception, marked by cultural performances and chants, underscored the deep bonds that connect Indian communities across the world with their roots.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
3 hours ago
- Times of Oman
India-Philippines sign 14 MoUs increasing maritime, defence, tourism cooperation; take forward Preferential Trade Agreement talks
New Delhi: India and the Philippines signed and exchanged 14 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday, looking to increase cooperation across sectors, including sharing the terms of reference for the negotiations for the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The multiple MoUs were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. today boosting ties between both the nations and enhancing their trade relations. Notably, this is President Marcos' first state visit, with both countries celebrating 75 years of strong diplomatic relations. The MoUs include cooperation in digital technologies, space, science, and tourism, and also increased cooperation between the armed forces and the coast guard, External Affairs Secretary (East) P Kumaran said in MEA media briefing in the national capital. There was adoption of Terms of Reference for the negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement between India and the Philippines. Incidentally, Indian and Philippine navies wrapped up their maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the South China Sea, the first joint patrol of India and the Philippines in the waters contested by multiple countries, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan, among others. Three Indian naval vessels- involved three Indian naval vessels - a guided missile destroyer INS Delhi (D-61), and an anti-submarine corvette INS Kiltan (P-30) and the fleet replenishment tanker INS Shakti (A-57). The MoUs also include mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a treaty on transfer of sentenced persons, and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. 'Several MoUs were concluded and exchanged during this visit, there were 14 of them, these include mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters, a treaty on transfer of sentence persons, terms of reference on negotiations for India-Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement, terms of reference for service staff talks, Army, Air Force, and Navy, enhanced cooperation between coast guards,' MEA secretary Kumaran said during the ministry's special briefing. 'Cooperation in space, cooperation programme, cooperation in programme of science and technology, MoU for cooperation in digital technologies, and an implementation program for tourist cooperation,' he added. Prime Minister Modi and President Marcos also issued a commemorative stamp, themed on national flowers, Lotus for India and Sampaguita, a variety of jasmine for the Philippines. The MEA secretary has said that both countries have adopted a plan of action for 2025-2029, to guide bilateral cooperation under the elevated strategic partnerships across sectors. 'During the visit both PM Modi and President Marcos have agreed to elevate India-Philippine Strategic Partnership aimed at further our engagement including political cooperation, defence, maritime cooperation, trade and investment cooperation, health and pharma, cooperation in science and technology, space, connectivity, digital economy, fin tech, consular matter, culture, tourism and people to people exchanges and closer cooperation in regional multilateral and international issues at mutual interest. Adopted a plan of action for the period of 2025 to 2029 to guide our cooperation under the elevated strategic partnership,' Kumaran said. Earlier, Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, addressing a joint press conference with PM Modi, hailed their strategic partnership, highlighting the agreement to cooperate on the defence and security sectors. "Today, India becomes only the fifth strategic partner for the Philippines. This new apex attests as much to the remarkably rapid growth, broadening and deepening of our 75-year-old bilateral relationship, the possibilities represented by the strong upward trajectory of our true economies as it does to the growing alignment of our interests and views on the challenges and imperatives of our time," he said. PM Modi too, at the press conference, emphasised the deep-rooted connection between India and the Philippines, stating that the two nations are "friends by choice and partners by destiny." Higlighting the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, PM Modi stated that "our diplomatic relations might be new, but the connection between our cultures is very ancient. The Philippines' Ramayana - Maharadia Lawana are living proof of our centuries-old cultural ties." Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership between the two countries and the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership: Plan of Action (2025-29) MoUs included Terms of References between the Indian Air Force and the Philippine Air Force on Air Staff Talks; between the Indian Army and the Philippine Army on Army-to-Army Staff Talks and between the Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy on Navy-to-Navy Talks An MoU on the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the two countries and a Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons between India and the Philippines was also signed. Programme of Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology for the period of 2025-2028 between the Departments of Science and Technology of the two countries was signed. Among the list of MoUs signed was one on the implementation Program for tourism cooperation for 2025-2028 between the two countries. Gratis e-tourist visa facility extended to Filipino nationals for a period of one year (from August 2025). An Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries in the Field of Digital Technologies was also signed A Statement of Intent between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Philippine Space Agency on cooperation on the Peaceful uses of Outer Space was signed. There was an MoU on the Terms of Reference for Enhanced Maritime Cooperation between the Coast Guards of the two countries. Cultural Exchange Programme between the two countries was agreed on. India also agreed to extend support on a pilot project for setting up of the Philippines' Sovereign Data Cloud Infrastructure.
Times of Oman
10 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Indo Pacific is correct evolution of Asia Pacific, says visiting Philippines President Marcos Jr
Mexico City : Philippines' President Ferdinand Romualdez Indo Pacific on Tuesday said that what used to be referred to as the Asia Pacific Region, the world now refers to it as the Indo-Pacific Region "Indo Pacific is the correct evolution of Asia Pacific," the visiting Philippines President said while addressing reporters at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the national capital today. Marcos said that this is a reaffirmation of the alliance between Indian and the Philippines. 'I think it is a reaffirmation of the alliance and the partnership that we are strengthening. What used to be what where we used to refer to the Asia Pacific region we now refer to as the Indo Pacific region, which is I think a correct evolution of that understanding because of the global nature of all of politics and of all of trade and all of the economy. And to build upon what we already have had but to certainly to explore the many opportunities that have arisen in the past few years because of the new technologies and the changing state of the global economy and the geopolitical the geopolitics around us now,' he said. Marcos was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present on the occasion. He is set to hold a high-level delegation talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital later today. On Monday, he held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as he marked the beginning of his five-day state visit to the country. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, 'Delighted to call on President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr of the Philippines this evening in Delhi at the start of his State Visit. Confident that his talks with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will significantly deepen our bilateral partnership.' This is the first visit by the President of the Southeast Asian country to India since he assumed office back in 2022, marking a significant milestone, as his visit aligns with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Philippine President Marcos arrives on 5-day state visit to India
New Delhi: Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr arrived in the national capital on Monday for a five-day state visit to India, aimed at further strengthening the India-Philippines relationship, the Ministry of External Affairs stated. This is the first visit by the President of the Southeast Asian country to India since he assumed office back in 2022, marking a significant milestone, as his visit aligns with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. According to a post on X by the MEA, Marcos was welcomed with a warm reception by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita. "Mabuhay, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.! President Bongbong Marcos has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. Received by MoS Pabitra Margherita and accorded a warm welcome. India & the Philippines are celebrating 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties. This visit will lead to further strengthening of India-Philippines relations," the MEA stated on X. He was accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-level delegation including several Ministers from his Cabinet. According to a statement by the MEA, during his visit, President Marcos will be holding talks with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other officials. He will also be meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. On August 5, he will lay a wreath at Rajghat, and following that, he will hold talks with PM Modi at the Hyderabad House. Exchange of Memoranda of Understanding and Press Statements will take place thereafter. The Philippine President will then meet Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda and thereafter President Droupadi Murmu. He will then travel to Bengaluru and meet Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Ghelot. His visit came following an invitation by PM Modi, an MEA statement stated on Thursday. Diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were established in November 1949. Both countries have since developed a strong partnership across a broad spectrum of areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, maritime cooperation, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and digital technologies. The two countries also engage closely at the regional level, including through India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN. The statement added that India's relations with the Philippines are an integral pillar of our 'Act East' Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR and our vision of the Indo-Pacific. The visit will act as an opportunity for both leaders to set the path for future bilateral cooperation and to engage on regional and international issues of mutual interest, as per the statement. India and the Philippines share warm and multifaceted bilateral relations rooted in historical ties and shared democratic values. Cooperation spans various sectors, including defence, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
